said. "You have no cause for uneasiness."

"You will excuse my anxiety, Miss Morstan," he remarked, airily.
"I am a great sufferer, and I have long had suspicions as to that
valve. I am delighted to hear that they are unwarranted. Had
your father, Miss Morstan, refrained from throwing a strain upon
his heart, he might have been alive now."

I could have struck the man across the face, so hot was I at this
callous and off-hand reference to so delicate a matter. Miss
Morstan sat down, and her face grew white to the lips. "I knew
in my heart that he was dead," said she.

"I can give you every information," said he, "and, what is more,
I can do you justice; and I will, too, whatever Brother
Bartholomew may say. I am so glad to have your friends here, not
only as an escort to you, but also as witnesses to what I am
about to do and say. The three of us can show a bold front to
Brother Bartholomew. But let us have no outsiders,--no police or
officials. We can settle everything satisfactorily among
ourselves, without any interference. Nothing would annoy Brother
Bartholomew more than any publicity." He sat down upon a low
settee and blinked at us inquiringly with his weak, watery blue
eyes.

"For my part," said Holmes, "whatever you may choose to say will
go no further."

I nodded to show my agreement.